Balkh Police Chief General Sayed Kamal Sadat spoke out about widespread corruption in military and civil service departments and said those guilty of corruption were being backed by government officials.
Speaking at a gathering – Ulema’s Role in Fighting Corruption - on Sunday in Mazar-e-Sharif, Sadat said this was impacting law enforcement.
“Work hand in hand to remove this misery from society,” said Sadat.
“The world is pointing fingers at us, and many don’t even feel shame; my tears are the tears of reality not only just for corruption,” Sadat added.
Sadat also stated that those guilty of corruption in his department have the backing of officials who are getting money.
Balkh officials said that although there is corruption in all government departments, education departments, municipalities, and custom departments at Hairatan and Aqina ports were particularly bad.
“There is corruption in the Balkh governor’s office and if you say no then let me tell you the reasons,” said Afzal Hadid, Balkh’s provincial council head.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid Halimi, the head of the Northern Zone High Office of Anti-Corruption, said there was a lack of cooperation between government officials in fighting corruption.
“A number of officials don’t even pay attention to government letters,” Halimi said.
Balkh officials acknowledge that there is corruption within the local government offices but have vowed to fight it.
“God willing, with the help of the people and the Ulema leadership we will be able to eradicate the phenomenon from our society and prove to the world that Balkh province can be a pioneer in all areas,” said Bashir Ahmad Tawohidi, the deputy governor of Balkh.
Meanwhile, religious scholars in Balkh said corruption was unacceptable and that only with the help of the public and religious scholars will the problem be stamped out.
“If Ulema work together and with the people and make an effort, I can tell you there will be a hundred percent positive impact,” said Zabiulllah Haqjo, a religious scholar.
This comes after Transparency Watch recently stated that the main victims of corruption in the country are members of the public who fork out about $3 billion USD a year in bribes.